North Jersey teens to perform at Garden of Dreams Talent Show

Samantha Koch of Haworth, right, getting advice from her celebrity mentors at the Garden of Dreams Talent Show rehearsals last month at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

WHAT: Garden of Dreams Talent Show

Abby Koenig, left, and Gabby Piela, both of Glen Rock, rehearsing their duet.

WHEN: 7 p.m.Tuesday

WHERE: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, Manhattan

HOW MUCH: Free

FOR MORE INFO: gardenofdreamsfoundation.org

Samantha Koch lowered the microphone, shuffled her feet and apologized. After a few seconds and a sigh, she stared into the mirror at the Radio City rehearsal hall and started singing again, looking over the heads of the celebrity mentors who were there to help her with her performance.

When she finished singing "When You Wish Upon A Star," the first thing those mentors told the teen soprano was to stop apologizing and stop doubting herself.

"You have a great voice, great pitch, great power," said Paterson native, musician and New York Liberty basketball player Essence Carson. "Just be confident. This is your stage. Your stage."

It's some stage — more than 66 feet deep and a city block wide at one of the most famous venues in the world. The 15-year-old Haworth resident will be part of the annual Garden of Dreams Talent Show Tuesday night at Radio City Music Hall.

Other North Jersey performers, Gabby Piela and Abby Koenig of Glen Rock, will sing a duet.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit charity that helps kids facing obstacles, be it illness, homelessness, foster care, the challenges of poverty or other tragedies or issues. This annual event allows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these children to perform at Radio City. There are 20 performances this year, featuring singers, dancers and musicians.

In August 2012, Samantha was diagnosed with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, a kidney disorder that leads to changes and inflammation of the structures inside the kidney and can cause problems with its function.

Her a cappella version of "When You Wish Upon A Star — "I chose it because it's a very happy song, it's very hopeful," she said of the song — impressed the mentors.

"You have something really special to share with the audience," said Ryan McCartan, who was in "Heathers" off-Broadway and plays Diggie in the Disney Channel's "Liv and Maddie."

McCartan was also very complimentary of Gabby and Abby, who are singing Sara Bareilles' "Cassiopeia," telling the duo that they have "terrific voices and sound really good together."

His only advice?

"Have 50 percent more fun," he said. "I'm having a blast watching you. I think you can enjoy it even more. It's very important."

To have that fun, the duo must push down any nerves and fully experience the moment, their once-in-a-lifetime chance.

"It's very exciting for me," said Gabby, 17, who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was in fifth grade. "Performing at Radio City is such an honor. Not only is it a famous venue but it's so full of history, so I'm really proud to perform there."

It's a place she knows well, even choosing to go there for an Ed Sheeran concert for her 16th birthday.

"I think it's an amazing experience, so unique," said Gretchen Piela, Gabby's mom. "We've been taking Gabrielle there since she was little."

Gabby and Abby, Glen Rock High School juniors, have been friends since eighth grade. Abby helps Gabby when her JRA flares up. They've bonded in music and theater; singing at Radio City is something they never considered for themselves.

"It's a dream for every performer," said Abby.

The girls haven't been on the real stage yet and weren't nervous about it until their first rehearsal. The mentors tried to drive home the overwhelming nature of the surroundings. They told the teenage singers that there are about 6,000 seats and that huge stage for just the two of them.

"My stomach started doing flips," said Gabby.

The girls go on third but can't revel in the moment for the rest of the night. The show comes during finals week and they plan to be backstage studying.

Abby Koenig, left, and Gabby Piela, both of Glen Rock, rehearsing their duet.

WHEN: 7 p.m.Tuesday

WHERE: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, Manhattan

HOW MUCH: Free

FOR MORE INFO: gardenofdreamsfoundation.org

Samantha Koch lowered the microphone, shuffled her feet and apologized. After a few seconds and a sigh, she stared into the mirror at the Radio City rehearsal hall and started singing again, looking over the heads of the celebrity mentors who were there to help her with her performance.

When she finished singing "When You Wish Upon A Star," the first thing those mentors told the teen soprano was to stop apologizing and stop doubting herself.

"You have a great voice, great pitch, great power," said Paterson native, musician and New York Liberty basketball player Essence Carson. "Just be confident. This is your stage. Your stage."

It's some stage — more than 66 feet deep and a city block wide at one of the most famous venues in the world. The 15-year-old Haworth resident will be part of the annual Garden of Dreams Talent Show Tuesday night at Radio City Music Hall.

Other North Jersey performers, Gabby Piela and Abby Koenig of Glen Rock, will sing a duet.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit charity that helps kids facing obstacles, be it illness, homelessness, foster care, the challenges of poverty or other tragedies or issues. This annual event allows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these children to perform at Radio City. There are 20 performances this year, featuring singers, dancers and musicians.

In August 2012, Samantha was diagnosed with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, a kidney disorder that leads to changes and inflammation of the structures inside the kidney and can cause problems with its function.

Her a cappella version of "When You Wish Upon A Star — "I chose it because it's a very happy song, it's very hopeful," she said of the song — impressed the mentors.

"You have something really special to share with the audience," said Ryan McCartan, who was in "Heathers" off-Broadway and plays Diggie in the Disney Channel's "Liv and Maddie."

McCartan was also very complimentary of Gabby and Abby, who are singing Sara Bareilles' "Cassiopeia," telling the duo that they have "terrific voices and sound really good together."

His only advice?

"Have 50 percent more fun," he said. "I'm having a blast watching you. I think you can enjoy it even more. It's very important."

To have that fun, the duo must push down any nerves and fully experience the moment, their once-in-a-lifetime chance.

"It's very exciting for me," said Gabby, 17, who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was in fifth grade. "Performing at Radio City is such an honor. Not only is it a famous venue but it's so full of history, so I'm really proud to perform there."